Monkey face eel?

Ive got 6 fat filleted eels in brine for indian candy style smoke, does anyone have any other ideas for them? Smoke, bake, whatever. Also any cleaning tips, can I get away with leaving the skin on? They sure are easy and fun to catch but what a bear to clean

It's been awhile and I only did one, but I left the skin on and it turned out fine after smoking.  I just split the meat so the brine and smoke could get in there.

Weird freakin things...  but tasty.

I think they're deliscious just thrown on the grill with lotsa butter and salt.

If they're big enough you can just fillet them like any other fish.

It's been awhile and I only did one, but I left the skin on and it turned out fine after smoking.  I just split the meat so the brine and smoke could get in there.

Weird freakin things...  but tasty.

Ditto - my cousin in Germany does freshwater eel the same way. Heads and skin on. After smoking you make a cut at the tail (or twist it off) and then peel back the skin, eat it by hand. The Eels are really oily, we would wash our hands with grain alcohol and then have a shot. My grandfather would say the shot was to let the Eel keep swimming. 

John

have ya all seen fellow NCKA member, DFG data collector and monkeyface eel world record holder Kirk's video on youtube?

Cool video.

really great video 

First gut the eel,what I do is Put the eel on A 2x4 then drive A 16 penny nail thru the head and score around the neck, with A pair of pliers peel the skin off like A bannana next take the meat and steak it out.Dip in egg then flour,and your favorite seasonings. I like to deep fry mine. With A shot of lemon you win!

Fun video, thanks for sharing that. 

check this out.. apparently alice waters of chez panisse is into poke poleing and eating these slippery critters. here is an article from the chronicle with her recipes.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/05/12/FDG6G6H4CO1.DTL